Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Every parent's worst nightmare - please help

383 replies

Rosieted · 02/04/2023 11:36

Twelve weeks ago my cousin's daughter was a healthy and happy 10 year old, enjoying a sleepover for her birthday and dancing with her friends way past her bedtime. Then all of a sudden, just after Christmas, her parents noticed strange bruising on her body. They didn't think it was anything serious but took her to her GP who ran her bloods. When the results came back everyone was in shock - they showed that her bone marrow had suddenly stopped working and after various tests she was diagnosed with a very rare and incredibly serious blood condition called aplastic anemia.

She is now in hospital having regular transfusions of red blood cells and platelets which are keeping her alive. In order to be cured she needs a stem cell transplant, and fast.

Her brother sadly isn't a match. Nor is anyone currently on the stem cell donor registry. My beautiful relative is now very poorly in hospital and is reliant on a total stranger to do something amazing and donate some of their stem cells to save her life.

I had no idea, but 90% of stem cell donations are taken from a donor's blood in much the same way as giving blood - it's pretty simple, yet it could save someone's life.

If you are reading this, please could you consider joining the donor stem cell registry. You could be the match that my god daughter needs. A group of her friends have set up a campaign called #swabyourgob and you can sign up to join the registry by ordering your free mouth swab kit from www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

Even if you are not a match for her, you could be for the many people each year who need the kindness of a total stranger to save their lives.

Thank you so much for reading x

Register as a potential donor

To become a potential blood stem cell donor, just check your eligibility and request a swab kit.

http://www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

OP posts:
Buggersticks · 03/04/2023 18:19

Signed up to this a few years ago. Get the occasional email but never been called upon. I wish you God daughter a match, and a speedy recovery x

csigeek · 03/04/2023 18:21

I think I’m already registered but since then I’ve had to have a blood transfusion, does anyone know if you can donate stem cells if you’ve had a blood transfusion? As you can’t donate blood anymore if you have :(

Twentyfirstcenturymumma · 03/04/2023 18:22

Registered for a pack. Thinking of you all

MrsGannicus · 03/04/2023 18:27

Just registered. Wishing you, your cousin and daughter all the best. x

Augustlou30 · 03/04/2023 18:27

I've registered for a swab. I thought I wasn't eligible assumed it was my age but it was my weight. Have lost alot since and am not eligible and within age. I'm so sorry for your god daughter x

BrokenBonesStixStones · 03/04/2023 18:28

I went to sign up but unfortunately I didn’t meet the criteria to donate. If anything changes in the future (unlikely) I will ❤️

Fraaahnces · 03/04/2023 18:29

Oh god, I remember living through the “Twin B has renal cancer and we won’t be able to tell exactly what kind until she’s born - at 20 wks gestation. Oh, and she most likely won’t survive past three months anyway.” Nightmare. They were wrong, thank goodness. Took a couple of stressful months to find that out, but I am on every registry here in Aus, and regularly donate blood products also.

vitahelp · 03/04/2023 18:30

I had never heard of this, signed up now.

Galletaconpeineta · 03/04/2023 18:31

I’ve registered too.

hopefully they will find a match for your relative xx

ElfieLea · 03/04/2023 18:34

I've registered. I hope she finds a match soon.

Maddismummy · 03/04/2023 18:34

Registered. Hope you have good news soon and thanks for highlighting this. I cannot give blood so always assumed I wouldn't be able to register

user1493379562 · 03/04/2023 18:38

Apparently am also too old. I sincerely hope a match is found for your God daughter. x

Mamamess · 03/04/2023 18:38

I’ve just signed up for a pack, really hope your family finds a match xxx

Teapleasebobb · 03/04/2023 18:41

Just signed up.
Keeping my fingers crossed for your family op Flowers

EmilyGilmoresSass · 03/04/2023 18:44

I've done this before. I've not been contacted as yet, but I would not hesitate if they asked me to help save someone's life.

I'm so sorry for your family and it's terribly unfair. Wishing you and your family the best and hope someone joins the register who can help. I genuinely feel something like this should be mandatory.

Dagnabit · 03/04/2023 18:44

I’ve registered for a swab pack. Wishing you all the best, OP

Teaismymiddlename · 03/04/2023 18:46

I have a 10 year old

If that were me I'd be beside myself so all signed and applied

EmilyGilmoresSass · 03/04/2023 18:49

EmilyGilmoresSass · 03/04/2023 18:44

I've done this before. I've not been contacted as yet, but I would not hesitate if they asked me to help save someone's life.

I'm so sorry for your family and it's terribly unfair. Wishing you and your family the best and hope someone joins the register who can help. I genuinely feel something like this should be mandatory.

I'm now horrified to realise yesterday that I don't believe I updated the registry when I moved address. I do believe my telephone number was the same, but I've contacted them to hopefully update the information that they currently hold for me with all current information.

namechangeididtoo · 03/04/2023 18:53

I just tried signing up but unfortunately due to health issues I am not suitable,
I really hope you're god daughter gets the match she needs asap

LuckyDipForTheEuro · 03/04/2023 18:53

I have registered for a swab pack x Sending very best wishes to you and your family xxx

Sneakyblinders · 03/04/2023 18:55

I've registered too. Fingers crossed they find a match for you

CrazyLadie · 03/04/2023 18:57

Rosieted · 02/04/2023 11:36

Twelve weeks ago my cousin's daughter was a healthy and happy 10 year old, enjoying a sleepover for her birthday and dancing with her friends way past her bedtime. Then all of a sudden, just after Christmas, her parents noticed strange bruising on her body. They didn't think it was anything serious but took her to her GP who ran her bloods. When the results came back everyone was in shock - they showed that her bone marrow had suddenly stopped working and after various tests she was diagnosed with a very rare and incredibly serious blood condition called aplastic anemia.

She is now in hospital having regular transfusions of red blood cells and platelets which are keeping her alive. In order to be cured she needs a stem cell transplant, and fast.

Her brother sadly isn't a match. Nor is anyone currently on the stem cell donor registry. My beautiful relative is now very poorly in hospital and is reliant on a total stranger to do something amazing and donate some of their stem cells to save her life.

I had no idea, but 90% of stem cell donations are taken from a donor's blood in much the same way as giving blood - it's pretty simple, yet it could save someone's life.

If you are reading this, please could you consider joining the donor stem cell registry. You could be the match that my god daughter needs. A group of her friends have set up a campaign called #swabyourgob and you can sign up to join the registry by ordering your free mouth swab kit from www.dkms.org.uk/swabyourgob

Even if you are not a match for her, you could be for the many people each year who need the kindness of a total stranger to save their lives.

Thank you so much for reading x

I tried but can't due to the meds I take, sorry 😢 hope you find someone soon

Catcactus · 03/04/2023 19:03

Just registered. Hope you find a donor for your goddaughter.

No1careworker · 03/04/2023 19:08

Done

nannyl · 03/04/2023 19:10

Im already on the register so clearly not a match.

I hope they find a suitable match very very soon xx

Well done for raising awareness